World Day for Cultural Diversity For Dialogue and Development

on 21 May 2019.

Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development. Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the seven culture conventions, which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity in particular through innovative use of media and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect and mutual understanding.

In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and in December 2002, the UN General Assembly, in its resolution 57/249, declared May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. To celebrate the cultural diversity, May 21 is marked as World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together peacefully in a spirit of dialogue and openness. Celebrating cultural diversity means opening up new perspectives for sustainable development and promoting creative industries and cultural entrepreneurship as sources of millions of jobs worldwide, particularly for young people.

It is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional and moral. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. Culture is a sustainable development accelerator whose potential has been recognised in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations.”

The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) promotes culture and highlights the significance of its diversity as an agent of inclusion and positive change. WAY also encourages young people and organisations from around the world to take concrete action to support diversity and aim building a world community of individuals committed with real and everyday-life gestures. We urge everyone to raise awareness worldwide about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and inclusion and combat polarization and stereotypes to improve understanding and cooperation among people from different cultures.

WAY also bring people from different societies, communities, and countries together so that they can share ideas, thoughts, and actions on how to improve cooperation on a global level and among the youth. Realizing the importance of this day, we foster inter-cultural and international understanding and cooperation and promote tolerance, understanding, team spirit and cooperation among young men and women irrespective of race, sex, language, religion or political orientation.

WAY integrates culture into all development principles, especially those related to youth issues of cultural diversity in a multicultural youth context. We are endowed with diverse cultural heritage, comprising different young people from different countries and cultures, each with their own exceptional characteristics. Our target is to enable young people to successfully address issues of cultural diversity and mutual respect among different age groups from all over the globe.

We urge everyone especially the youth to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms and raise awareness worldwide about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity, and inclusion.